FJI’s Olivia Joseph, recently attended the Florida Coalition for Higher Education in Prison’s conference. Education is a human right, and we are proud to stand with those fighting to protect it. Follow to see how our team takes the fight beyond the courtroom and into communities.

On International Women’s Day, we are highlighting the women at FJI who turn up every day to fight for justice. They work hard, forcing the legal system to recognize the humanity of the people affected by it. Learn more about our amazing team at linkin.bio/fji

GOOD NEWS: SCOTUS upholds ruling that protects rights of people experiencing homelessness to ask for help to meet their basic needs. This reinforces a basic understanding that asking for assistance is constitutionally protected speech. Read the SPLC statement: buff.ly/c5YKcRc

The Florida Justice Institute is guided by an incredible Board of Directors, including women who bring their expertise and passion to the fight for civil rights. Thank you to the women on our board for your vision and dedication. Learn more about FJI’s Board of Directors at linktr.ee/fji.law

That's a wrap on the 2026 @naehomelessness.bsky.social Summit! While inspiring/insightful, I realize that @fji.law + our national peers have more work to do to address the criminalization against unhoused people. Great to reconnect with my counterpart at NAEH, Ann Oliva. Until next time! #NAEH2026

We are counting down the days, just six weeks left until our Annual Signature Event. We will have Markenzy Lapointe joining us as the evening’s keynote speaker. We will also be honoring Kathie Klarreich and the Florida Prison Education Project. Get your tickets at linktr.ee/fji.law

FJI went to NSU's Public Interest Law Day to engage with students and share what our organization does. Learn more about our professional opportunities incuding internships, pro bono work, and careers at linktr.ee/fji.law

This Women’s History Month, we are putting the spotlight on the team members right here at the Florida Justice Institute. Throughout this month, we will be sharing conversations with them about what drives their work and advocacy. Follow to see these posts coming soon!

We want to spotlight two of the people who make FJI’s work possible: Mike Langley is always pushing for change and advocating for our organization. Bethell Forbes is behind our pro bono work, connecting attorneys with the people who need them most. Learn more about our team at FJI.law

Thank you to the University of Miami and H.T. Smith for hosting the Civil Rights Symposium last week. We’re so proud of our team and we’re happy to see the community coming together to promote and honor civil rights work.

Today we are celebrating Jessica Pla’s 31st anniversary with the FJI team. Jessica brings dedication and kindness to the office every day. Thank you, Jessica, for over three decades of commitment to this work. Learn more about our staff, board, and community at FJI.law

We are just seven weeks away from our Annual Signature Event on April 16th. It’s going to be a night to connect with the community that makes our work possible. We’ll be honoring the progress we’ve made and looking at the work ahead. Visit FJI.law/celebration to sign up.

It’s been thirteen years since Carly joined the team at the Florida Justice Institute. From day one, Carly has been a pillar for us. Doing this work takes stamina and heart, and Carly brings that every single day. Learn more about our staff and mission at linktr.ee/fji.law

Olivia and Ray visited FIU College of Law to connect with students who want to make a difference. If you want experience in public interest law as a student or professional, visit the link in bio to connect.

St. Johns County will no longer enforce its ban on asking for charity. The county has agreed to stop these arrests permanently and pay damages to those harmed. You can read more about this victory and support at linktr.ee/fji.law

The FJI team is saddened to learn of the passing of Thelma Gibson. Thelma fought for affordable housing so that Black residents wouldn't be pushed out of their own neighborhoods. Our thoughts are with her family and the community she served. See more on Thelma’s legacy at linktr.ee/fji.law

Olivia and Ray visited FIU College of Law to connect with students who want to make a difference. If you want experience in public interest law as a student or professional, visit fji.law/work-with-us to connect.

Michelle and A.J. went to the University of Miami School of Law to connect with students who are looking to build a career in public interest law. It was inspiring to meet so many young people who are excited to help others and do the work. Learn more about our work and opportunities at FJI.law

Register today to make sure you have a spot at tomorrow’s symposium! FJI’s Ray Taseff will be part of the roundtable discussion and Tiffani Lee will be there to accept the Andrew D. Fredman Friend of the Center Award. See details and sign up at linktr.ee/fji.law

We had a great time connecting with students at the Florida State University College of Law Career Fair! Michelle and Laney shared information about FJI's work and how public interest law can be an amazing career path. See how to make fighting for civil rights part of your career at fji.law

We’re proud to see the Florida Justice Institute represented at the Inaugural H.T. Smith Symposium on Civil Rights in Florida during the panel and awards. Wednesday, February 18th at the University of Miami School of Law, Gail D. Serota JD '79 Reading Room. Sign up at linktr.ee/fji.law

Show your love this Valentine’s day by helping the community FJI fights for. Your support means we get to investigate prison conditions, restore ability access, and repeal oppressive housing laws. See the impact we’ve had so far and join the monthly giving program at fji.law/45for45

When essential workers are priced out of housing stability, it proves that the housing crisis is an economic reality, not a personal failure. It’s with your support that we can bring common-sense approaches to housing to the table. See the full Miami Herald article at linktr.ee/fji.law

We are proud to announce Ché Scott as the new Chair of our Board of Directors for the Florida Justice Institute. Ché focuses on transforming our community by investing in our youth. His passion aligns perfectly with FJI’s work. Learn more about FJI's board and the work they do at FJI.law

Great news in our ongoing case alongside the Southern Legal Counsel to stop the panhandling laws in St. Johns County: the ordinance will no longer be enforced! This is a huge win for fighting against laws that punish poverty. See the full press release coming soon on our website FJI.law

Today marks 6 years that Michelle Llosa has been with FJI! Michelle truly embodies FJI's commitment to the community through all of her work and outreach as our Community Engagement Paralegal. Happy anniversary, Michelle! Learn more about the team and their work at FJI.law

We are thrilled to announce Markenzy Lapointe as the keynote speaker for FJI’s 2nd Annual Signature Event. Markenzy brings a deep understanding of the justice system, and we look forward to hearing his insights on April 16th. Save your spot at the Signature Event by heading to linktr.ee/fji.law

A new report shows that fewer than 1% of homes for sale in Miami are affordable for the average family. When housing is this out of reach, it pushes people into poverty and widens wealth gaps. This is why we advocate for laws that make housing affordable. Read the report at linktr.ee/fji.law

Mark your calendars for the night of April 16th. We’re gathering at the historic Miami Women’s Club for FJI’s Annual Signature Event. Don't miss this chance to celebrate the work and the people behind it. Sign up at linktr.ee/fji.law

Housing is the first line of defense during a housing crisis. Despite this fact, the City of Miami just rejected a proposal aimed at curbing housing insecurity. We need policy that prevents displacement at the source. Read the details on this decision at linktr.ee/fji.law

2025 was a year of pushing back and moving forward. Our newly released Impact Report details the hard work and concrete achievements of last year. See exactly what we accomplished together by downloading the report on our home page at FJI.law

This month, we honor pioneers who paved the way for justice. Like Virgil Hawkins, who fought to desegregate Florida's law schools. And Harry and Harriette Moore, who built the groundwork for civil rights advocacy. Keep their memories alive and bring the spirit of advocacy into your work.

To be a civil rights attorney is to choose a path of constant challenge. For the last eight years, Ray Taseff has handled some of our toughest cases with a mix of grace and grit that is rare to find. We are so proud to have you on our team Ray! Learn more about our team at linktr.ee/fji.law

We are happy to welcome Gabriella Portillo to the team. Gabriella is a law student at Florida International University and brings a background in Politics and Media Studies from The Catholic University of America. We look forward to the work she will help us achieve, welcome Gabriella!

Check out the latest episode of the Route to Success podcast at linktr.ee/fji.law In this episode, FJI’s Michael Langley discusses what goes into what drives his work. Watch the full episode to see Michael break down how you can get involved without getting overwhelmed.

FJI's Michael Langley went to FCLAA Hill Days and thanked Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith and Representatives Dianne Hart-Lowman, Robin Bartleman, and Webster Barnaby for their support of the Tristin Murphy Act and criminal justice reform. See how we change laws and minds at linktr.ee/fji.law

It's National Eye Care Month, a time to focus on vision health. But for many people in Florida prisons, access to basic care has been a fight for survival. Our lawsuit against FDC and their medical contractor challenges practices that have denied necessary surgeries. Support at linktr.ee/fji.law

We are very grateful for Michelle's rigorous advocacy and commitment to our clients over the years. As FJI's Community and Engagement Paralegal, Michelle has helped provide so many vulnerable communities with the relief they need. Happy birthday Michelle! Learn more about our team at FJI.law

Thank you for those who attended and supported the Justice and Reentry Forum last week! Expanding our work means showing up in communities across Florida. Together, we highlighted ongoing justice reform and the next steps to see it continue. Learn more by visiting linktr.ee/fji.law

Education opens doors, and the Florida Prison Education Project is making sure those doors are open for everyone. With 88 classes taught to over 1,700 students so far, FPEP is making sure everyone has a fair chance at an advanced education. Learn more about FPEP at cah.ucf.edu/fpep

Kathie Klarreich knows the power of a story. As the Executive Director of Exchange for Change, she is building bridges for people in the prison system. Kathie has spent decades amplifying voices that society tries to silence. Learn more about her transformative work at Exchange-For-Change.org

This year's winner of the Roderick N. Petrey Public Service Award is Kathie Klarreich! This year's winner of the Randall C. Berg, Jr. Social Justice Award is the Florida Prison Education Project! Look out for our next posts highlighting the winners and the amazing work they do in the community.

Today we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It’s important we not just appreciate the day off and like a social post. We must continue the work of ensuring legal, social, and economic justice for everyone. See exactly how we strive for this goal and the progress we’ve made at FJI.law

This past Tuesday, FJI presented pro bono work opportunities to Holland & Knight Associates. We thank Holland & Knight for the chance to present to their community and we look forward to continuing to work together in 2026. Learn more about our pro bono opportunities at our website FJI.law

A new article shows Florida has the harshest prison sentences in the US. We want to see our justice system move away from mass incarceration. Join us in discussions like this today at 1pm at the Justice and Reentry Forum, hosted by Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Article link: linktr.ee/fji.law

It's important that people coming home after incarceration have the opportunities and support they need, but this is rarely the case. Join us tomorrow in Tallahassee to discuss these exact issues, including what you and our communities can do about it.

Frederick Murphy responded to Florida AG Uthmeier insisting that Winter Haven enforce the state's camping ban. Murphy countered the statements of the AG by saying public spaces are available for everyone, "regardless of socio-economic status". See the full article at linktr.ee/fji.law

The FJI team would like to extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of the late Miami-Dade bar president, Stuart Weissman. Stuart was a passionate advocate for justice and left a lasting impression on his community, both personally and professionally.

Join us in Tallahassee on January 16th for the Justice & Reentry Public Forum. This event brings together leaders, practitioners, and community members to discuss what is, and isn’t, working around reentry. Reentry is more than just leaving prison, it's about having a fair chance to build a life.

We’re excited to welcome Paige Mulac back to the Florida Justice Institute. Paige first joined us as an intern for the Spring 2025 semester. Having her back is a huge win for our team. Welcome back Paige!